By Kayla Simas | KSimas@siadvance.com
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Close to 150 friends and family members gathered Friday morning to pay tribute to beloved firefighter Jimmy Martinez, 58, of Great Kills during a street renaming ceremony.
The intersection of Beach Road and Hillcrest Street was dedicated to the 26-year career decorated firefighter from both Staten Island and Brooklyn, who died after succumbing to a 9/11-related illness on August 24, 2018.
The ceremony was presented by the Martinez family, the FDNY Ceremonial Unit, New York City Councilman Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore), and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn).
“It was Borelli’s office that walked us through the very lengthy process and spearheaded the whole event, in getting the street co-named,” said Martinez’s daughter, Eileen.
Martinez responded to many fires, emergencies, and tragedies throughout his career.
Martinez was a first responder to the World Trade Center bombing in 1993, the 9/11 attacks in 2001, the AA flight 587 crash in Rockaway in 2011, and Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
Martinez’s unit was operating in Midland Beach when they navigated through neck-deep water to evacuate numerous civilians during Hurricane Sandy. It was that night that Martinez was cited by his company, Engine 157, for his bravery.
“It was touching to see how much he meant to people, and the love and respect they still have for him,” said Eileen. “Many shared stories with us. It was special. We felt that today in the ceremony and the turnout.”
Martinez was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer in June 2013 from his time spent at Ground Zero. He underwent rigorous chemotherapy treatments but still needed a stem cell transplant.
In April 2016, Martinez received the stem cell transplant from an anonymous international donor; he was in remission for six months.
In addition to Borelli, Chief Kevin Wood, and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, her brother, Lt. Jimmy Martinez, also with the FDNY, spoke on behalf of their father.
“He spoke about the significance of the street name — Jimmy Martinez Way– the meaning of ‘Way’ is because my father had his own ‘way’ and method of doing things,” she said. “He always instilled in us to do the right thing and to pay it forward, so that’s why we chose ‘Way’ and not ‘Street’ or ‘Ave.’”
Martinez remained optimistic during chemotherapy, even adopting the mantra of “Paying it Forward.” He did so by purchasing a van for the FDNY Family Transport Foundation, whose mission is to transport sick firefighters and their families to doctor’s appointments and hospital stays.
“My father believed in paying it forward. The FDNY helped us so much, so he started his mission of paying it forward with the FDNY family assistance,” said Eileen.
One of his ways of paying it forward was helping to add more than 1,800 new registrants to the bone marrow registry.
“The likelihood of finding his match increased, but at the same time, more people were added to the registry,” she said.
Martinez, 58, who resided in Great Kills, is survived by his wife, Maria, and three children: Jimmy, Alyssa, and Eileen, and three grandchildren.